TORRINGTON >> Since 1991, the Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Connecticut has recognized individuals and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional and unselfish service to the Northwest Corner with the Celebration of Success Distinguished Leadership Awards.

The awards for Business Leader, Community Leader and Quality of Life will be presented on Thursday, June 30 at the Warner Theatre’s Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center.

Based on their contributions to the business environment, the 2016 Business Leader award recipient is Freund’s Farm of East Canaan. The family business, started by Eugene and Esther Freund in 1949, has evolved to include three separate businesses today: Freund’s Farm, Freund’s Farm Market & Bakery and CowPots. The dairy farm is managed by the second and third generations of the Freund family. They maintain 600 acres of cropland and 130 acres of forestland. The family has adopted renewable energies including a methane digester and 1,400 solar panels. Their commitment to sustainability was recognized by the U.S. Innovation for Dairy with a Sustainability Award in 2015. The farm recently installed five robotic milking units and are the first in Connecticut to use this new technology. Benjamin, Matthew, Theresa, Amanda, Sarah and husband Andy, Isaac, Rachel and partner Cole, are working hard to continue the family farming business.